Mississippi’s Online Sports Betting: Will 2025 See New Legislation?

Mississippi is at a crossroads in deciding the future of online sports betting, with Senate Gaming Committee Chairman Sen. David Blount signaling a cautious stance on filing any such legislation for the 2025 session. In a December interview with the Clarion Ledger, Blount emphasized that he has no intention to introduce a bill unless the Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) specifically requests it.

“Of course, any Senate member can file a bill on that topic if he or she wants to and then we’ll look at it,” Blount explained. He also acknowledged the House’s active interest in expanding gaming opportunities but reserved judgment on whether the Senate would produce a similar initiative.

Mississippi Gaming Commission Remains Neutral

Jay McDaniel, the Executive Director of the MGC, has clarified that the commission will not advocate for or propose any specific sports betting legislation. This position aligns with the MGC’s historical approach, as it typically refrains from initiating gaming-related bills.

“I don’t believe the commission would take a position on ing it,” McDaniel remarked, highlighting the importance of the legislative process. “We would rely on whether it be the Senate committee or the House Gaming Committee to introduce a measure like that.”

Mississippi is one of the early adopters of retail sports betting in the U.S., with wagers permitted only within licensed brick-and-mortar casino premises. While online sports betting is technically allowed, participants must be physically present on casino grounds to place bets.

This limited framework has fueled debates about expanding online betting accessibility. Proponents argue it could boost tax revenues and modernize the state’s gaming industry, while critics worry about potential impacts on casino foot traffic and broader gambling expansion.

Previous Legislative Efforts and Roadblocks

Efforts to expand online wagering in Mississippi have seen mixed success. In 2024, Rep. Casey Eure introduced House Bill 774, which proposed statewide online sports betting with up to 26 licenses for operators. The bill suggested a 12% tax on adjusted gross revenue, potentially generating $35 million annually for infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.

HB 774 initially gained strong , ing the House with a 97-14 vote and later clearing the Senate with a 36-15-1 vote. However, the Senate added a strike-all amendment that removed the bill’s online betting framework. This disagreement led to the bill’s demise in a conference committee.

Blount noted that some lawmakers had concerns over the bill’s potential to reduce casino visitation and its inclusion of additional gambling activities like online poker and slots. “I think if we narrow the scope to sports betting, and we deal with some consumer protections, provisions that were not addressed in the bill, that we can work on a bill again [in 2025],” Blount stated in May.

As the legislative session approaches, the question of whether Mississippi state will embrace statewide online sports betting remains uncertain. Lawmakers must navigate concerns about balancing industry growth with economic and regulatory considerations.

While Blount remains open to reviewing proposals from other legislators, his deliberate approach, coupled with the MGC’s neutral stance, suggests that the path forward will be methodical. Whether this measured pace will result in a breakthrough for online sports betting in 2025 is yet to be seen.

Source:

”Report: Mississippi Senator to only file online betting bill by request”, SBC Americas. January 10, 2025.